The Desert Star: Unveiling the Life of St. Pishoy

Join us for an insightful journey into the extraordinary life of St. Pishoy (also known as Bishoy), the great Egyptian Desert Father, revered in the Coptic Orthodox Church as "The Star of the Desert" and "The Beloved of our Good Saviour".... Born around 320 A.D. in the village of Shansa, Egypt, St. Pishoy was the youngest of six brothers, and though physically frail, he was divinely chosen for God's service through a vision seen by his mother....

At the age of twenty, he entered the wilderness of Scetis (Wadi-El-Natroun) to become a monk under the guidance of Anba Bemwah, who also ordained St. John the Short.... St. Pishoy quickly became renowned for his profound love, meekness, simplicity, and an intensely ascetic and prayerful life1.... You'll hear how he famously tied his hair to the ceiling of his cell to prevent sleep during his nightly prayers, a testament to his unwavering devotion5.... His wisdom, strength, and generosity attracted many, making him the spiritual father to a vast community of monks....

Discover the remarkable divine encounters that shaped his legacy:

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He was blessed with visions of our Lord Jesus Christ on several occasions1....

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We'll recount the touching story of how he carried Jesus, who appeared as an old, frail man on a journey....

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Learn how he also washed the feet of the Lord, who visited him disguised as a poor stranger.... It is said that because he carried Christ, his body remains incorrupt to this day at the Coptic Orthodox Monastery bearing his name in Wadi El-Natroun....

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He even had a vision of Emperor Constantine, who expressed that the honour of monks surpassed the glory of his own kingdom6....

St. Pishoy was also a steadfast defender of Orthodox faith. Hear how he courageously confronted a heresy denying the Holy Spirit, using a simple, yet profound, three-eared basket to illustrate the Trinity, convincing many to return to the true faith....

His life concluded amidst barbarian invasions in 407/408 A.D., leading him to Mount Ansena, where he departed in 417 A.D..... You'll hear about his deep friendship with St. Paul of Tammah, a bond so strong that God promised they would never be parted.... Indeed, centuries later, their bodies were moved together, and they lie side-by-side in the main church of the Monastery of Saint Bishoy in Wadi El-Natroun, as St. Pishoy's incorrupt body continues to be preserved19....

Tune in to explore the life of "The Perfect Man," whose love for God and humanity shines as a beacon of faith and humility....

Saint Cyril of Alexandria – The Unyielding Champion of Faith

Join us as we journey back to 5th-century Alexandria, a vibrant melting pot of cultures and ideas, to explore the life of one of Christianity's most formidable figures: Saint Cyril of Alexandria. Known as "The Pillar of the Faith" and "Seal of all the Fathers," Cyril’s tenure as Patriarch from 412 to 444 was anything but calm, marked by intense theological battles and societal upheavals1....

A scholarly archbishop and prolific writer, Cyril was born around 376 in Didouseya, Egypt, and received an exceptional education under the guidance of his uncle, the previous Patriarch Theophilus1.... Upon his enthronement in 412, following a period of civil unrest, Cyril quickly exerted his authority, challenging both secular and religious powers8....

Cyril's most enduring legacy stems from his fierce defence of orthodox Christology against the teachings of Nestorius, the Patriarch of Constantinople. Nestorius challenged the long-held title of "Theotokos" (Mother of God) for the Virgin Mary, suggesting she was only the "Mother of Christ" (Christotokos)8....

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The Council of Ephesus (431 AD): Discover how Cyril became the central figure at this pivotal Ecumenical Council, presiding over the condemnation and deposition of Nestorius. Hear about the dramatic counter-council held by Nestorius's supporters, who in turn condemned Cyril as a "monster," leading to a period of arrests and political maneuvering2....

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A Champion of "Theotokos": Understand why Cyril passionately championed the title of "Theotokos," arguing that it was crucial for upholding the singular, indivisible personhood of Christ as both truly human and truly divine37.... His profound Mariology, which described Mary as the "container of the uncontained" and "scepter of orthodoxy," laid the groundwork for future Marian theology43.... The Second Council of Constantinople later declared him the one "who announced the right faith of Christians"6.

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The Christological Conundrum: Dive into a fascinating and ongoing debate within the sources themselves. While Saint Cyril is revered as a saint in the Eastern Orthodox Church, he "affirmed one nature after the union" and "condemns saying two Natures after the union"46. The Council of Ephesus itself "anathematized saying two Natures after the Union"46. This stands in apparent tension with the later Chalcedonian affirmation of "two natures," leading to surprising perspectives from the Assyrian Church, which argues it is more consistent in affirming two natures by rejecting the Council of Ephesus due to its "one composite nature" stance47....

From his vast commentaries on Scripture to his central role in defining foundational Christian doctrines, Saint Cyril of Alexandria's influence reverberates through Church history6.... Join us to explore the life and turbulent times of this complex and unyielding champion of the faith.

Today, we delve into the incredible story of St. Shenouda the Archimandrite, a giant of early Coptic Christianity, born around 348 AD in Shenalolet.

Discover how this shepherd boy, who showed early signs of spiritual giftedness with fingers glowing like luminous candles in prayer, rose to become the abbot of the White Monastery. Under his leadership, which began around AD 385, the monastery flourished, growing from a handful of monks to an astounding 2,200 monks and 1,800 nuns by AD 466. He instituted a unique and comprehensive monastic system, which included a covenant (diatheke) for new novices and required them to live outside the monastery for a period before consecration. St. Shenouda also utilised monks' diverse skills in varied tasks such as writing, tailoring, flax cultivation, and metal-making, making the monastery complex a self-supporting unit. He further recognised the need for literacy among his monks and nuns, encouraging them to read and write manuscripts.

But St. Shenouda was more than a monastic leader; he was a fearless national leader, emerging as a champion for the oppressed peasants of Upper Egypt. He tirelessly defended and protected them from grave injustices inflicted by pagan Greek landlords. His interventions included chastising a pagan in Akhmim, stopping landlords from forcing peasants to buy rotten wine, and securing the freedom of captives from Blemmyes warriors at Psoi. He even appealed on behalf of the peasants to those in power, including the Byzantine emperor Theodosius. His efforts solidified his legacy as a liberator of Egyptian (Coptic) thought and a true representative of Pharaonic genius.

Beyond his activism, St. Shenouda was a prolific writer and intellectual powerhouse. Fluent in both Coptic and Greek, his extensive writings, which include moral sermons and attacks against pagans and heretics, showcase his deep knowledge of Holy Scriptures, Greek thought, and various works of philosophy and theology. He played a pivotal role at the Ecumenical Council of Ephesus in AD 431, accompanying St. Cyril the Great to provide moral support against the heresy of Nestorius, Bishop of Constantinople.

Living an extraordinarily long and blessed life of 118 years, St. Shenouda's influence resonated far beyond his time, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual devotion, social justice, and profound literary contribution. He gave up his spirit in the presence of his beloved monks on the 7th day of the Coptic month of Abib (July 14th) in AD 466. Join us as we explore the life of this charismatic figure whose biography was recorded by his close disciple, St. Besa (Wissa)